The Duchess of Berwick's reception-rooms at Belgrave Square, London. A double drawing-room panelled in oak. Heavy furniture of the Louis Quinze period. A gay crowd assembled. Among them Lord Windermere, Lord Darlington, Lord Augustus Lorton, the Duchess of Berwick, Mrs. Erlynne, Lady Agatha, Lady Plymdale, the Duchess's daughters, and other fashionable people.
Lord Windermere. My dear Darlington, you must not look upon such sights with the steady stare of an Englishman. You must treat them with the imagination of a cosmopolitan.
Lord Darlington. My dear Windermere, I am always imitating you. But if I imitate you too much I shall be in danger of becoming ridiculous.
Lord Windermere. You must never be afraid of being ridiculous. The world offends you so often by trying to be profound. In London people admire everything that is not too honest. It is the city of the millennium for the cultivation of affectation.
Lord Darlington. That is why I love London. Abroad they are too sincere. In Paris they are too witty, in Naples they are too passionate, in Berlin they are too earnest; but in London everyone plays a part.
Mrs. Erlynne (to Lord Darlington). You speak as if you were enthusiastic about a theatre. Surely society is more amusing.
Lord Darlington. Society is the best comedy, because it is a reflection of ourselves. We all prefer to be amused by our own foibles. Besides, there is a certain distinction in the faults of the English. They are discreet.
Lady Windermere (entering). Do you know, mother, I cannot make out whether you are really enjoying yourself or only trying to look as if you were enjoying yourself? There is something so aggravating in people who attempt to be agreeable.
The Duchess. My dear girl, I am really enjoying myself. I assure you that if one goes into society for any other reason but to enjoy it, one had better stay at home.
Lady Windermere. But, mother, I have seen so many strange things to-night. I have seen passionate scenes enacted with perfect composure, and I have heard tender phrases dropped with perfect indifference. It all seems so unreal.
Lord Windermere. My dear Prudence, you are too young to be cynical. Youth should be romantic; age should be philosophical. One must not judge by appearances. Appearances are the only things that are true.
Lady Windermere. Appearance is everything to a woman, father. One must be careful to preserve it. It is one's only protection.
Mrs. Erlynne (aside). That is why women are always so suspicious of other women. They think their protection is endangered. (Aloud.) Lady Windermere, may I have a word with you?